The Little Mermaid: Three Disney Characters Nobody Noticed in 3 Minutes and 59 Seconds of the Movie

While the new version of The Little Mermaid – Rob Marshall’s live-action production – hits theaters on May 24, a look back at the original animated film that John Musker and Ron Clements made in the early ’90s.

Like most of the Disney classics that came out during this period, the animated adaptation of Andersen’s famous fairy tale contains several small voices – often discreet and few – that can keep the most observant viewers entertained throughout the film.

The detail we are interested in today is undoubtedly the strangest and most incredible in the feature film. You don’t have to look far to find it, as it is located exactly 3 minutes and 59 seconds into the start. On the other hand, if you hope to see it, you’ll have to hit pause at the right moment and maybe peek a little.

As King Triton enters his palace on a chariot pulled by three dolphins, look closely at the many silhouettes that form the crowd. A bit crudely drawn on this frame, which is mainly concentrated on the animation of the king, the subjects of the latter still include three Disney characters, who a priori have nothing to do here: Mickey, Donald and Goofy!

Indeed, nothing tells us how the famous mascots of the Disney studios manage to breathe under the ocean, but it is clear that they are at Triton’s door. And that’s not all! Just seconds before (3 minutes and 58 seconds, respectively), somewhere else in the crowd, you’ll also be able to see… Kermit the Frog, the famous host of the Muppet Show.

Virtually impossible to spot unless you know exactly where to look, these cameos are first and foremost completely unexpected and confusing. But they aren’t the only easter eggs hidden in the film.

(Re)discover all the little details of The Little Mermaid…